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At Kanazawa Castle Park, the impressive stone walls and crisp white roofs weave a captivating tale of samurai life from Japan’s Edo period.

Kanazawa Castle Park features a traditional Japanese castle with white walls and tiled roofs, set behind a stone moat and surrounded by green lawns, trees, and neatly trimmed hedges under a clear sky.

A Living Symbol of Kanazawa’s Samurai Heritage

One of Kanazawa’s most iconic landmarks, Kanazawa Castle Park felt like stepping into a living history book. As we walked past broad lawns and imposing stone walls, it was easy to picture the time when the powerful Maeda clan ruled over the region. The reconstructed turrets and long defensive corridors rose against the sky hinting at both elegance and power.

During our visit, we uncovered fascinating stories behind the castle’s past, including why the white lead-coated walls were specially designed to withstand Kanazawa’s heavy snowfall.

A Castle Reborn from Fire

A traditional Japanese castle entrance with white walls, tiled roofs, and a large wooden gate welcomes visitors to Kanazawa Castle Park. Several people walk through the gate as trees frame the scene under a clear sky.

Originally built in 1583, Kanazawa Castle served as the seat of power for the Maeda family, one of Japan’s most powerful feudal clans. Fires repeatedly damaged the castle throughout its history, with the main keep lost long ago. What you see today is the result of detailed restorations, based on original plans and traditional building techniques.

We entered through Ishikawamon Gate (石川門), built in 1788. It’s one of the castle’s few original surviving structures. From there, we walked through Gojikken Nagaya (五十間長屋), a long fortified warehouse once used to store weapons and supplies. It stretches nearly 90 yards and gives a real sense of the castle’s defensive scale.

Inside one of the towers, we found a fascinating exhibit showing a cross-section of a stone wall. It revealed the layered construction methods used by Edo-period craftsmen.
Seeing the wall from the inside made the castle’s history feel vivid and alive.

White Roof Tiles and Clever Design

Kanazawa Castle Park features a traditional Japanese castle with white walls and blue-tiled roofs, perched on a grass-covered stone foundation beneath a clear sky.

Unlike many other castles in Japan, Kanazawa Castle features striking white lead-tiled roofs. We learned these were specially designed to reflect sunlight and withstand the region’s heavy snow. It was a smart design choice that also gives the castle its distinctive appearance.

How to Get to Kanazawa Castle Park

Bus

  • From Kanazawa Station, take the Kanazawa Loop Bus and get off at RL6 or LL9 near Kenrokuen Garden.
  • You can also walk from Kanazawa Station in about 25 minutes via Omicho Market.
  • Total travel time: 10–25 minutes.

Taxi

  • A taxi from Kanazawa Station takes about 10 minutes and costs around ¥1,000–¥1,500 depending on traffic.

Pro Tip: Combine your visit with Kenrokuen Garden next door—they share the same entrance area and are perfect for a half-day outing.

Is Kanazawa Castle Park Worth Visiting?

A display at Kanazawa Castle Park showcases a traditional Japanese building corner, highlighting construction techniques with varied wall sections and roof tiles under a wooden shelter. Informative signs feature Japanese text and diagrams.

If you’re into samurai history or just love traditional architecture, Kanazawa Castle Park is definitely a spot you don’t want to miss. The grounds are beautifully kept, with wide paths and open lawns that make it easy and enjoyable to explore.

Plus, it’s right in the heart of the city, so it’s super easy to fit into your day, especially if you’re planning to visit Kenrokuen Garden and Omicho Market nearby.

More to Explore Nearby

After exploring the reconstructed gates and expansive grounds of Kanazawa Castle Park, continue your journey through the city’s historical and artistic heart: